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Monday, November 21, 2005
Fear over spread of bird flu allayed
By Maricar Aranas
THE National Avian Influenza Task Force allayed public fear of the spread in the country of the bird flu that has hit all the neighboring countries in South East Asia.
The task force was in Dumaguete City recently to hold a seminar-workshop on the avian disease.
Invited were representatives from government agencies and local government units, poultry breeders, and agencies like the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the provincial and city veterinary offices.
The gathering stressed measures to prevent the sickness from entering the country because of the presence of migratory birds from affected Asian countries.
The task force was composed of Dr. Daniel Rodriguez and Dr. Isidro Callangan of the National Meat Inspection Service and Dr. Nicomedes Valconcha of Swift Foods Corp.
Rodriguez said the anti-bird flu campaign of the national government aimed to maintain the country's bird flu free status through massive awareness and education drives on how to prevent contamination.
In Negros Oriental, the cities of Tanjay and Bais are considered vulnerable to the disease due to presence of migratory birds in its wetlands.
Bais City Mayor Hector Villanueva said Talabong island is home to species of migratory cranes and wild ducks because of its mangroves.
Villanueva said the hunting of these birds are prohibited.
The mayor said he was to meet with the city health officer and the veterinary officer to take steps that would discourage residents, especially visitors, from going to Talabong island.
(November 20, 2005 issue)
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